The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Abubakar III, has asked traders not to increase prices of foodstuffs as Muslims’ month of fasting approaches.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, made the call yesterday in Bauchi, at the close of a week-long 2022 National Qur’an Recitation Competition hosted by the Bauchi State government, in collaboration with Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
The Sultan said, “I use this medium to call on all market people who sell things to be fearful of what Almighty God will ask them when they get to him on the day of judgment”.
He said traders should rather reduce the prices of commodities to receive God’s blessings. “Instead of increasing prices of foodstuffs and other essentials, please try to reduce the prices so as to get the blessing of Almighty God”, he stated.
He stressed the need for traders to be wary of the day of judgment and to avoid extortion of patrons.
The Sultan called on governments at all levels to evolve measures to reduce the cost of living in the country, saying, “I think it is left to all of us in authority to work together and bring this rise in the cost of foodstuffs to affordable levels so all of us can have a successful Ramadan”.
“I believe it’s not too much to ask the government; after all, we elected you into office to serve us and not for us to serve you”, the Sultan further said.
Muslims across the world will observe a 30-day fasting period, (Ramadan), beginning in April.
